This was during the 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope that took place over the weekend in the South West Region.
An event that once again lived up to its reputation as one of Africa’s most exhausting events, a theatre of resilience where preparation meets destiny.
The kick off was given at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium in Buea, South West Region where a total of 600 athletes from all denominations participated in the race. 588 of them Nationals and 22 Internationals. The North West Region demonstrated a high sense of winning spirit by sweeping away all the top positions.
Hamadou Bi Ibrahim emerged winner in the Senior Men’s category after recording a successful race up and down the mountain top in 4 hours 24 minutes and 42 seconds. He finished the race over ten minutes before the first runner-up and is the first Cameroonian to arrive first on the summit of Mount Cameroon, and still be the first to finish the race. The 38 year old athlete that comes from Afeum-Alah Athletics Club, Awing, Mezam Division, North West Region, said it was a daunting task as the most difficult part for him was descending the mountain, an obstacle he overcame an emerged victorious. This win has made him the first Cameroonian to reach the summit first and still maintain his first position at the descend. This record was first created by a Swiss athlete in 1990.
The king of the 2026 Mountain race went home with a 10 million FCFA cash price. He was closely followed by Gabsibwin Everette W. who finished first runner-up with a time record of 4 hours, 36 minutes and 28 seconds. Adamu Issa Buba finished with a time record of 4 hours, 39 minutes and 39 seconds to secure the position of second runner-up in the men’s category.
In the Senior Women’ category, Wirba Destiny Grace emerged winner after delivering a composed and commanding performance, crossing the finish line in 5 hours 22 minutes and 11 seconds. This despite all the odds and obstacles she had before and during the race. She benefited from the expertise and training of her coach, Godlove Gabsibwin, 5 times Champion of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope who stood by her all through as she challenged the deadliest of them all.
Beyond the mountain trails, Wirba is a teacher at Government Secondary School Kiyan on the outskirts of Kumbo in Bui Division, Northwest Region. She is also a referee in Cameroon’s Guinness Super League, balancing the whistle with the rigours of elite athletic preparation.
A native of Mbotong village in Bui Division, she described the race as challenging but purposeful. “I took exactly three months to prepare for this race, and this is my second time participating in the senior category,” she said.
She was followed closely by Njeyang Sydney Bonwi (5:24:08) and Tatah Carine (5:30:18) in a fiercely contested race.
A remarkable performance at this year’s competition was in the Junior Women’s Category where the first three positions were swept away by women from Nwa Subdivision in Donga Mantung Division of Cameroon’s Northwest region. They are CHINWEN Sandrine NTUMNWI 1st, NFORBI Josephine KWASINWI 2nd and AGABSIBUIN KINDNESS NJODZOK 3rd. A win that emanates as a result of the performance at the Mount Madjang race held yearly in preparation for the Mount Cameroon Race.
In the veteran category, Nyambe Roland and Sarah Etonge secured the first position in their categories.
Nyambe Roland emerged winner after delivering a strong performance over the demanding course from the Molyko Omnisport Stadium to Upper Farms and back.
On the women’s side, Sarah Etonge secured victory in the Women’s Veterans category, finishing ahead of her competitors as veteran athletes concluded their race at Upper Farms. It’s the 2nd time the Queen of the Mountain is winning in the veteran category and overall seven times winner of the race. The grandmother of 27 grand children says she feels like a girl of 14 years. Though 62, she made it clear to the media shortly after the win that she continue to run as long as God permits.
The 31st edition of the Race of Hope was presided over by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi who urged the athletes to compete in a spirit of discipline and National pride. This years edition was marked by the presentation of several special awards. Notable recipients included the “Queen of the Mountain,” Sarah Etonge, and H.M. Albert Njie Bonde from the CRTV.
The event was graced by the presence of the Governor of the South-West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, the SDO of Fako, and numerous administrative, municipal, political, and traditional authorities, all of whom added prestige to this 31st edition of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope.
Looking ahead, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi pledged to work toward making the 2027 edition of the Race of Hope even better.
